UAE issues warning to Emiratis after London stabbing

Mohammed Al Araimi, 20, was killed in a suspected robbery on Friday night

LONDON 26th March 2018. The scene of the attack on an Emirati opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge, London. Stephen Lock for the National   Words: Caroline Byrne
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The UAE has issued a warning to Emiratis living in or travelling to the UK after an Omani student was stabbed to death in London.

Mohammed Al Araimi, 20, was killed in a suspected robbery while walking home with a friend in Knightsbridge on Friday night.

He was found unconscious with a stab wound to the back just after midnight and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Police said Mr Al Araimi was studying politics and economics at Kings College and have launched a murder investigation into the incident.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation warns UAE citizens residing in or travelling to London of a recent increase in violence and knife crime, including a number of attacks on citizens of Arab Gulf states,” the UAE Embassy in the UK said.

“We advise our citizens to take special care, especially at night, and avoid wearing valuable items that attract attention in public places.”

Mr Al Araimi was one of three men killed in a series of unrelated stabbings in London in a little over 12 hours.

His friend, 20, was also wounded in the attack but has since been discharged from hospital.

The Omani Embassy in the capital said it was following the police inquiry closely, calling the incident “unfortunate”.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, of the Met Police, is leading the investigation.

“Mohammed and his friend were returning home from a restaurant when they were approached and assaulted by two male suspects,” he said.

“The victim and his friend were entirely blameless, simply enjoying a meal out together. It does appear that the motive for this cowardly attack was robbery.”

The family of Mohammed has clarified that reports of his murder being related to a robbery or a watch are false, in a brief statement.

They added "The police have confirmed that his possessions were not taken, and he was not wearing a watch at the time of this horrific attack."